A group of six engineering students from Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wis., and two industrial design students from the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design have successfully created a simple but effective device that will help Kailyn Pieper feel comfortable eating in her school cafeteria.

Born seven weeks premature with a rare congenital disorder that affected the formation of her joints, 12-year-old Kailyn does not have the use of her arms.

But the plucky girl has taught her feet to do what her arms cannot. Kailyn has learned to write, draw, play with dolls and even gift wrap presents -- all with her dexterous toes.

Thanks to her can-do attitude, Kailyn, who started middle school last year, hasn't had much difficulty blending in with her schoolmates.

"These are things that make me happy, and you're one of those things...Thanks from the bottom of my heart for helping improve the quality of my life one spoonful at a time. Love, Kailyn Pieper."

Though exemplary, this senior project is not the first of the kind.

According to WLFI.com, in 2009, Purdue engineering students successfully invented devices to assist disabled dogs as part of their senior project. Earlier this year, the Sioux City Journal reported that Tulane University has a senior-level course in which biomedical engineering students design projects to help the disabled.

Read the entire incredible story by the Milwaukee-Wisconsin Journal Sentinel here, and watch the video above.